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Idel-Ural literally means "Volga-Ural" in Tatar.

1918 flag of Idel-Ural State

Historically it refers to a short-lived Tatar republic with its centre in Kazan which united Tatars, Bashkirs and the Chuvash in the turmoil of the Russian Civil War. Often viewed as an attempt to recreate the Khanate of Kazan, the republic was proclaimed on December 12, 1917 by a Congress of Muslims from Russia's interior and Siberia.

On May 5, 1917 more than 800 non-Russian delegates representing Maris, Chuvashes, Udmurts, Mordvans (Mokshas and Erzyas), Komis, Komi-Permyaks, Kalmyks and Tatars held a general meeting in Kazan to create independent Idel-Ural Republic in Idel-Ural area in Russia. As first concrete step it was decided to create to Kazan University four professor posts and in addition two researchers posts. The main idea was loose League of Small Nations where all were free to strength their own cultural heritage. At first only Mohammedian fate Bashkirs were not participating but later in 1917 they also with Idel Germans joined the League of Idel-Ural.

Initially it comprised only Tatars and Bashkirs in the former Kazan and Ufa governorates, although other, non-Muslim and non-Turkic, nations of the area joined in a few months later: the Komi peoples, Mari, and Udmurt, who speak Finnic languages and practice either Orthodox Christianity or shamanism^[1]. Defeated by the Red Army in April 1918, the republic was restored by the Czech Legion in the same July and the Bolsheviks managed finally to dissolve at the end of the year.This led to open revolt in 1919 - 1920 and when the revolt was smashed by Bolsheviks in 1921 the idea of Idel-Ural State continued cladestine to 1929. This year Tsheka managed to infiltre to Idel-Ural movemement and smashed the leadership. Several thousands Idel-Ural supporters were executed all over the Volga and Ural minority settled regions.

The president of Idel-Ural, Sadrí Maqsudí Arsal, escaped to Finland in 1918. He was well-received by the Finnish foreign minister, who remembered his valiant defences of the national self-determination and constitutional rights of Finland in the Russian Duma. The president-in-exile also met officials from Estonia before continuing in 1919 to Sweden, Germany and France, in a quest for Western support.

Now Tatar nationalists rely on the historic precedent of an independent Idel-Ural to justify the re-establishment of a Turkic state independent of the Russian Federation.

1. ^ Staff writer. "The dying fish swims in water", The Economist, December 24 2005 - January 6 2006, pp. 73-74. 

• Zeki Validi Togan

• Tatar-Bashkir Weekly Report

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